11.28.07
If You Build It, They Won’t Come
Most churches follow the “Field of Dreams” model of ministry: if we build it, they will come. If we have the right program, the right environment, the right attraction, then people will show up. This comprises the attractional model of ministry.
The missional model takes a different approach where the church is out in the world and personally inviting people to engage the Christian faith. In a sense, this should still be attractional. Lifestyle, compassion and charity become the attractive elements as opposed to a program or event.
Blind beggar presents a good comparison of the the Attractional model of ministry, versus the Missional model.
Matt Stone also has an interesting discussion on missional ecclesiology.
